They had asked new President Ashraf Ghani to stay the executions so the proceedings could be reviewed.

David Griffiths, Asia-Pacific deputy director of Amnesty International, said that while the crime was regrettable, the proceedings were "marred by inconsistencies, uninvestigated torture claims and political interference."

Griffiths added that it was "deeply disappointing" that Ghani allowed the executions.

Human Rights Watch called the September trials "badly flawed."

A statement by the group shortly after the conviction said with allegations of coerced confessions and inadequate time to prepare a defense, the trials violated international due process standards and protections under Afghan law.

The men were hanged Wednesday at a prison in the capital. Three suspects remain at large.

A Kabul resident told VOA the hangings should have been "public and in front of media ... so people will learn from this mistake."